Re: [BNW] Combat tips?

["Philip John Mason" <pmason@twcny.rr.com>]

>     I'm also looking at the movement/scale system and wondering.  I never
use
> miniatures and maps, because I don't like them; I like the freedom to
change
> things to fit the flow of the scene, and I find the 'wargaming' feel of
> miniatures irritating or boring.  But now I'm wondering if perhaps I need
to use
> such things for the game.  The way combat is structured, order of action
is
> important - who goes first, who goes second, what they can do at that
exact
> point in the round - and so is location/position, exact ranges, movement
and so
> on.
>     How do those who use maps/figures keep it fast and simple?  How do
those who
> _don't_ keep things structured and organized?
>
>     If you've got advice or tips, I'd love to hear them.

Well, i tend to keep away from using minatures because of the elongation of
combat scenes it can create. We have been using minatures for D&D 3E the
last couple months, though, and it certanitly has some advantages. For the
newer players in our group it helps them to visualize whats going down
immensely, whereas the older, long term players in the group have a better
sync and have less of a problem visualizing whats happening. I think the key
is pace. Since you now have the possiblity of longer combat sessions,
everyone has to learn to think quicker and decide what they are doing just
as quick, because their minature movement can really affect everyone else
and their moves and decisions, much more than "visualization". When not
using minatures, you affect each other less, because you don't pick up on
things like getting in each other's way(although i do some of this without
mintures anyway) and other things that become clear when using minatures. Of
course it can be a pain for those flyers!!! :)
Of course, if i had the set up that Matt had at Gencon '99, i would use
minatures too!!!!

Mace